Apparatus for testing connectors for leakage



Sept. 2, 1952 R. D. GAMBRILL 2,503,354

APPARATUS FOR TESTING CONNECTORS FOR LEAKAGE Filed April 23, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNE P 2, 1952 R. D. GAMBRILL 2,608,854

APPARATUS FOR TESTING CONNECTORS FOR LEAKAGE Filed April 25, 1946 5 SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOR R. 0. GAMfiR/LL ATTORNEY Sept. 2, 1952 R. D. GAMBRILL 2,608,854

APPARATUS FOR TESTING CONNECTORS FOR LEAKAGE Filed April 23, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I I 2 8 P "21 Q) R ATTORNEY Sept. 2, 1952 R. D. GAMBRILL APPARATUS FOR TESTING CONNECTORS FOR LEAKAGE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 25, 1946 l. R Y Z M N m WM W W M A 0 D Sept. 2, 1952 R. D. GAMBRILL 2,608,854

' APPARATUS FOR TESTING CONNECTORS FORLEAKAGE Filed April 23, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 lA/VENTOR P. 0. GAMfiR/LL ATTORNEY [meter to be tes Patented Sept. 2, 1952 UNITED [STATES PATENT. OFFICE 2,608,85 I I ArPARArUs Fort TESTING CONNECTORS :FOB LEAKAGE Richard D. G'ambrill, Baltimore, Md., assignor to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New

York,- N. Y., a corporation of New York Applicationnpril 23, 1946, Serial No. 664,159

This invention relates to an apparatus for testing articles for leakage, and more particularly-to apparatus fortesting 'supposedly'pres'suretight conduits such as connectors.

An object of the invention is .toprovide new 7 Claims. (01. 73-40) and improved apparatusfor testing articlesfor leakage. Another object ofthe' invention is to provide new and improved apparatus'for testing sup: posedly pressure-tight articles, such: as, {hollow conduits or connectors to determine whether such articles are'free of leaks.

An apparatus forming a specific embodiment of the invention includes a container having an opening therein for-receiving anjend'of a pressure-tight article to be'tested. An elastic ring, which is highly resistant to deformation is'p'ositioned around an article.inserted'through the opening in the container and maybe pressed around the article to seal the article in the icontainer and to leave one end of the article free to the atmosphere surrounding the container. Agas under high pressure is introducedflinto the container and 'a pressure gauge registersfthe difference between the pressure of the gas in the container and that of the atmosphere; "If the article has any leaks therein, the gas in thecontainer will escape therethrough into the atmosphere and the gauge will indicate that gas isescaping from the container.

A complete understanding of the invention may be obtained from the following detailed descriptionof the apparatus forming specific em:- bodiments thereof, when read 'in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

.- Fig. l is a top plan view of an apparatusforrn ing one embodiment of the invention; v

Fig, 2 is an enlarged, 'fragmentary, verti'cal section taken along line 2-2 of Fig; 1:

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, horizontal section taken along line 3-3 of Fig; 2';

Fig. 4 is a partially, sectionall'vi'ew of a con- Y ted. by the apparatus shown in ,-Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, front elevation of an apparatus forming a secondembodirnent of the invention Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, top-plan view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 5; Fig. '7 is a fragmentary; front elevation'of a portion of the'appa'ratus shown in Fig. 5 with portions thereof'shown in section;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, vertical along line 8-8 of Fig. 7, and Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, vertical section taken section taken along line S- -QOf Fig.1;

sealing ring 25 formed of a highly elastic-mate.-

rial, which is highly'resistant to. compression, such as a vulcanized rubber or rubber-like compound, and supported on the .nut 2| is urged upwardly, as viewed in Fig.1:. 2,.rby, spring-pressed plungers2626 (Figs. 2 g and 3) which are urged upwardly, as viewed inFig. .2, by, compression springs, of whicha compression spring 2! (Fig.2)

is shown.

- An. annular-jpresser 30' fitted slidably in the counterbore 20 is fastened to a bearing race 3!, which ismounted in agroove 32 formed by an annular retainer; ;35 and an annular plug 31. The plug 37 and the annular retainer 35 may be rotated in a second counterbore formed in the container [0, and the plug 31. may. be screwed into atapped portion 4| ofthe counterbore 40. When the plug 3'l is threaded farther into the counterbore 40, it presses an upper race 42 downwardly against ball bearings 43-4 3 and forces the lower-race 3| downwar d1y, which thrusts the annular presser 30 downwardly and moves the sealing; ring 25 and the annular nut 2i downwardly against the action of the compression springs 2 l 2'l until the nut 2| stops against a shoulder 44; of the co-ntainer It. This presses the sealing ring 25z tightly against the walls of the counterbore 20 in the container l0, and

tightly against a tube of a connector Elihaving threaded end portion 49, which is screwed into the annular nut 2|. Theconnector fil in- .cludes a plurality of "tubes: 52-152 extending ,throughholes 53-53 formed in sealing and in- .sulating discs -55- 5 5 fitting tig -htly within the tube 50. The discsare intended toseal the end of the connector except for the passages in the tubes 52-52. A

When the connector 5l is threaded into the nut 2|, the springs 21-21 hold, the nut 21 in h .a raised positionso that the tubes '52-. 52do'not touch the, gasket 1-1 when the connectort'l is screwed into gthefnllt 2|. After the, connector is screwed intothe nut, 21, the sealing ring 25 is urged downwardly, as described hereinabove' .to

forced tightly against the ends of the tubes 52-52. The plungers 26-25 prevent rotation of the annular nut 2|.

After the end of the connector has been sealed by the sealing ring 25 and the gasket IT, a small quantity of alcohol is placed in the upper portion of the tube 50, and a protective cover 56 (Fig. 1) mounted on rollers 51-51 movable in grooved guides 58-58 is moved along the guides 58-58 from a position behind the plug 3'], as viewed in Fig. l, to a position covering the plug 31. Before the cover is so moved it is in the path of a lug 59 secured rigidly to a handle 54 of avalve 50 and prevents opening the valve.

After the cover is moved over'the-plug. 37, the

handle 54 and the lug 59 may be and are turned in a. clockwise direction; as viewed in Fig. l-, to admit nitrogen gas under a pressure of about 300 pounds per square inch to a pipe 5|, which leads'to'a pipe 62 connected at one end thereof to a pressure gauge 65 and at the other end thereof to an L-shaped passage 65. The passage 66 is connected to the annular passage 23 formed in the annular nut 2| so that the portion of the chamber I2 above the gasket I1 is filled with nitrgogen under a pressure much higher than that of the atmosphere.- The pressure of the gas is exerted upon the sealing discs 55-55 and also upon the joints between the sealing discs and the tube 50 and the joints between the sealing discs and the tubes 52-52. The valve 50 then is closed, and if there are any leaks in the connector 5| between the tubes 52-52 and the holes 53-53, or between the discs 55-55 and the tube55, the gas will escape into the atmosphere, which fact will be indicated by the pressure gauge 65 and by bubbles in the alcohol.

I In the operation of the apparatus described hereinabove, the connector 5| is threaded into the annular nut 2|, and the plug 31 is threaded into the threaded portion 4| of the counterbore 40 in the container ID, to force the ends of the tube 52-52' tightly against the gasket I to seal them from the chamber I2 and to press the thick sealing ring to seal the chamber I2 and the count'erbore 20 in the container I I] from the atmosphere. The sealing ring 25 also is pressed into sealing engagement with the tube 50 of the connector 5|. Alcohol then is poured into the upper end of the tube 53 and the cover 55' is closed. The valve 50 (Fig. 1) then is-opene'd and nitrogen gas under high pressure is supplied to the chamber I2 and the counterbore 25 in the containe'r. The valve then is reclosed to shut on" the gas supply. The pressure on the gas in the chamber I2 is indicated constantly by the pressure gauge and if the pressure in thecon'tai-ner It] does not decrease, the connector 5| is pressure tight. However, if there are any leaks in the connector 5|, gas will escape from the container I'D into the atmosphere, which fact will be indicated by the gauge '65 and the connector may be rejected. The alcohol facilitates the detection and location 'of slow leaks in the connector 5|, which cause bubbles in' the alcohol and 4 thereby indicate the presence and location of such leaks.

The above-described apparatus tests articles, such as the connector 5|, severely. The connectors may be inserted into the apparatus and removed therefrom very quickly and easily so that a large number of such connectors may be tested within a very short period of time. The interlock between the valve 60 and the cover 56 prevents any danger in the operation of the apparatus, and prevents opening of the valve 50 when the cover is not in its closed position An apparatus forming a second embodiment of the invention is disclosed in Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, and includes a container IIIl having chambers H2 and I20 formed therein, which are separated by an annular ring portion I23 formed on the interior of the container III). The container I I 0 is rigidly fastened to a disc II3 (Fig. 8) having a groove I09 formed therein, into which groove an annularfiange II4 of a support II5 fastened to a bench III fits. The disc II3 may be turned relative to the annular flange II4 of the supportto adjust the position of the container I III with respect to the support I I5. When the container I I0 is in its desired position, a shaft III (Fig. 6) mounted in bearings II8-I I8 is turned through a handle II 9, and turns eccentric [cams I I6-I I6 into locking engagement with the I I0. A thick sealing ring I25 composed of a solid,

highly elastic material, which is highly resistant to'c'ompression, such as a vulcanized rubber or rubber-like material, is positioned between the backing washer I2I and a thrust collar I30 positioned above the sealing ring I25. The thrust collar I30 abuts a thrust bearing race I3I positioned in a socket I32 formed in an annular, threaded plug I31, and is secured rotatably therein by a bushing I33.

When the plug I3! is screwed into a threaded portion III in the upper end of the container I I3, as viewed in Fig. 7, a face I35 of the socket I32 forces a thrust bearing race I42 downwardly to force balls I43-I43 downwardly against the race I3I. The plug I3I' may be screwed into the threaded portion I of the container III'I by a wrench. I45 fitting over a nut portion I44 of the plug I31. When the plug I3'I is threaded farther into the container III), the collar I30 is forced downwardly and presses the sealing ring I25 between the collar I 30 and the backing washer I2I This forces the sealing ring I25 tightly around a conduit I50, through which conductors I52-I52 pass and which has an open end I5I projecting through the plug I37, the races I42 and I3I, the collar I33, the sealing ring I25 and the backing washer I2I, to form a pressure-tight seal therewith. The sealing ring I25 also is forced tightly against the wall of the chamber I25 of the container I I0 and forms a pressure-tight seal therewith. The conduit I58 is connected to a supposedlyfl gas-tight connector box I53 (Fig; 5), which issu'pp'orjted bya shelf I54 having a notch I55 to provide clearance for the conduit I55.

Valve stems I'M/and I65 (Fig. 7) are threaded into tapped passages I66 and I67, respectively, formed in the ring portion I23, and have oneway valves, of which a'on'e-way' valve I65 is shown, threaded into the ends thereof. After the open end I5I of the'conduit I50 has been sealed .in the container IIO, as described hereinabove,la:nozzle llon'a supply :hose III leading to a supply of gas under-pressure is placed over whichever one of the valve stems I64 and 165 is most convenient, and .the chamber H2 in the container H0 is filled with gas under pressure... This also fills theconduit I50 and the supposedly gas-tight connector box I53 (Fig. to. which conduit I50 extends, with gas under pressure. The hose then is. removed, leaving. the chamberIILtheconduit I50 and the connector box I53 filled with gasunder pressure.

A hose I80 (Fig. 5) connects a pressuregauge .I8I .to a conduit l82, which is incommunication with the chamber H2 in the container H0. A pointer I85 of the gauge I8I indicates on a dial I86 otthe gauge I8I the pressure .of the gas in the chamber II2. If the conduit I50 and the connector box I53 have no leaks therein, the reading of the gauge IBI. will remain constant, but if there is a leak in the conduit I50 or the connector box I53, gas will escape therethrough from the chamber H2 in the container H0 and the pressure of the gas in the chamber II2 will be "reduced. This fact will be indicated by a lowering'oi the reading of the gauge I8I'so that an operator will be apprised of the fact that the connector box or conduit has a leaktherein and may locate the leak.

In the operation of the last-described apparatus, the connector .box I53 is placed upon the shelf I54. The container IIO and the disc II3 are rotated to their positions shown in Fig. 5 and are locked in those positions by actuation of the handle H0, which turns the shaft II! to force the eccentric-cams II6--I I8 (Fig. '7) into gripping engagement with the disc I I3. The open end I5I of theconduit I50 then is thrust through the annularplug I31, the bearing races I42 and I3I, the annular collar I30, the sealing ring I25 and the backing washer I 2I. The wrench I45 is actuated to screw the plug Iil'I into the container .0 until the sealing ring I25 is pressed tightly enough against the wall of the chamber I20 in the container I I0 and the outer periphery of the conduit I50 to seal the open end I5I ofthe conduit I50 in the chamber I I2.

The nozzle II0 then is placed over the end of the valve stem I64, which valve stem is the most convenient when the container I I0 is in the position shown in Fig. 5 and gas under pressure is forced into the chamber II2, the interior of the conduit I50 and the interior of the connector box I53. The gas is supplied through the nozzle I10 and the valve stem I64 until its pressure in the connector box and the conduit reaches the desired testing pressure, which will be indicated by the reading of the pointer I85 on the dial I86 of the gauge IBI. The nozzle I'I0 then is removed from the valve stem I64. If the conduit I50 and the connector box I53 have no leaks therein, the

reading of the pointer I85 on the dial I86 will remain constant. 7 If there is a leak in either of the connector box I53 or the conduit'l50, the gas pressure in the container IIO will fall off, which fact will be indicated by movement of the pointer I85 relative to the dial I86 and an operator of the apparatus may locate the leak in the terminal box and conduit under test.

The last-described apparatus serves to test fluid-containing articles under high pressures very accurately. The articles may be completely sealed in the container H0 and tested with a minimum of effort and time.

1:.Whatzis claimediis:

.1'..An apparatus for testing for leakage. Ban I ment and adapted toseal the tube projecting beyond the end of the article when the sealing member is compressed, a plug adapted to be locked into the opening in the'container'andto compress the sealing memberagainst the abutment, means for introducing gas under-pressure into the container between the gasket and the sealing member, and means for indicating leakage into the article of the gas within the container. r

2. An apparatus for testing for leakage an article having a threaded end portion and having a projecting tube sealedin that end, which comprises a container having a threaded opening, an annular abutment resiliently supported in the interior of the container and having a .threadedportion adapted to engage the threaded portion of the article under test, an elastic sealing ring positioned upon the annular abutment and adapted to be compressed to grip in sealing engagement the periphery of the article under test, a gasket positioned below the abutment and adapted to seal .the projecting tube when the sealing ring. is compressed, an annular thrust bearing positioned above the sealing ring, an annular threaded plug adapted to be threaded into theopening of the container and to compress the sealing ring between the thrust bearing and the abutment, means for introducing gas under pressure into the container between thegasket and .the sealing 'ring, and means for indicating leakage into the article of the gas within the container.

3. An apparatus for testing for leakage a connector having a plurality of longitudinal tubes projecting beyond one end thereof, which comprises a container having'an opening in one end thereof, an abutment supported in the interior of the container and adapted to engage the connector under test, an elastic sealing member positioned upon the abutment and adapted to be compressed to grip in sealing engagement the periphery of the connector under test, a gasket positioned below the abutment and adapted to seal the ends of the tubes projecting beyond the end of the connector when the sealing member is compressed,'a plug adapted to be locked into the opening in the container and to compress the sealing member against the abutment, means for introducing gas under pressure into the contamer. between the gasket and the sealing memher; and means for indicating leakage into the connector of the gas within the container.

4. An apparatus for testing for leakage a connector having a plurality of longitudinal tubes projecting beyond one end thereof, which comprises a container having a threaded opening, an annular abutment resiliently supported in the interior of the container and adapted to engage the connector under test, an elastic sealing ring positioned upon the annular abutment and adapted to be compressed t grip in sealing engagement the periphery of the connector under test, a gasket positioned below the abutment and adapted to seal the ends of thetubes projecting :beyoncLthe. connector under test when the'sealing' ring: is compressed, an annular threaded plug adapted to be: threaded' intothe opening in the having a chamber communicating, with a counterbore forming an interior annular shoulder therein, an annular nut mounted within the counterbore' above the shoulder'and having a threaded portionadapted to engage the threaded portion of. th connector under test, an elastic sealing ring positioned upon the annular nut and adapted to be compressed to grip in sealing engagement .the periphery of the connector under test, a

gasket positioned below the shoulder and adapted to seal the ends of the tubes projecting beyond the connector under test when the sealing ring is compressed, resilient means for urging the gasket into sealing engagement with the tubes, an annular plug selectively positionable within thecounterbore to compress the sealing ring against the nut thereby causing the ring to effect a seal with the periphery of the connector, means for introducing gas under pressure into the container between the gasket and the sealing ring,

and means for indicating leakag into the connector of the gas within the. container.

, 6. An apparatus for testing for leakage a connectorhaving a threaded'end portion and having a plurality of longitudinal tubes extending through and projecting beyond a sealing disc fitted within that end, which comprises a container having a chamber communicating with a counterbore forming an interior annular shoulder therein, an annular nut mounted within the counter-bore above the shoulder and having a threaded-portion adapted to engage the threaded portion of the connector under test, means for urging the nut away from the shoulder and for preventing any'rotation of the nut, an elastic sealing ring positioned upon the annular nut and adapted to be compressed to grip in sealing engagement the periphery of the connector under test,. a gasket positioned below the shoulder and adapted to sealthe ends of the tubes projecting beyond the connector under test when the sealing ring is compressed, resilient means for urging the gasket into sealing engagement with. the

' tubes, anannular thrust bearing. positionedabove the sealing ring, a second counterbore formed in thecontainerand having a threaded portion, an annular threaded plug adapted to be threaded intothe second counterbore oi" the container and t0j compress the sealing ring between the thrust bearing and thenut,tmeans for introducing gas under. pressure into the container between the gasket: and the sealing ring, and; means forinzdicating leakage through the disc into theconncctor oi the gaswithin the: container;

TL An apparatusifor. testing: for leakage: alconnector. having a threaded end portion and: having a. pluralityirof longitudinal tubes extending through and projecting: beyond a. sealing disc fitted within that end, which comprises: a contain'er having a chamber: communicatingwith' a counterbore forming: an interior annular shoulder therein, an annular nut, mounted within :the counterborei above. the shoulder. and having a threaded portion adapted to engage the threaded portion of the connector under test, a plurality of spring-pressed plungers' secured within the container below the shoulder and adapted to engage the nut to urge itaway from the shoulder and to prevent any'rotation of the nut, an elastic sealing, ring positioned upon the annular nut and adapted to be compressed to grip in sealing engagement the periphery of the connector under test, a gasket positioned below the shoulder and adapted to seal the ends of the tubes projecting beyond the connector under test when the sealing ring is compressed, a spring-pressed seat. slidably positioned within the chamber below the gasket for urging the gasket into sealing engagement with the tubes, an annularthrust bearing positioned above the sealing ring, a second counterbore formed in the container. and having a threaded portion, an annular threaded plug adapted to be threaded intothe second counterbore of the container and to compress the seal ing ring between the thrust bearing and the nut, means including a valve for introducing gas under pressure into the chamber between the gasket and the sealing ring, a pressure gauge communieating with the chamber through the valve for indicating the pressure of the gas. within the chamber, whereby a decrease in pressure may indicate leakage of gas through the disc and into the connector, a protective cover movable between a position covering the container and a position providing access to the container, and means for interlocking the valve with the cover to prevent the introduction of gas whenthe cover is in the position in which it provides access to the container.

RICHARD D. GAMBRILL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 324,412 Patterson 1 Aug. 18, 1885 372,491 Saunders Nov. 1,1887 458,453 Goodrich Aug. 25, 1891 994,789: Adams June 13,, 1911 1,529,8Z4i Culbertson 'Mar. 17,. 1925 2,060,388 Whittle Nov. 10, 1936 2,334,303 1943 Allen et a1. Nov. 16, 

